Good Friday is a significant holiday in the Central American country of El Salvador. As part of the Holy Week or 'Semana Santa' celebrated throughout Latin America, Good Friday, known as 'Viernes Santo', is the day when Salvadorans commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The day is a national holiday characterized by fervent religious observances and is considered one of the most solemn days of the year.
El Salvador, like many Latin American countries, is predominantly Roman Catholic, and Good Friday is marked with elaborate processions and re-enactments of the Passion of Christ. Many towns and cities across the country come to a standstill as people take to the streets to participate in or watch these processions. The effigies of Jesus and Virgin Mary, carried on floats, become the centerpiece of these religious processions, followed by penitents dressed in purple robes.
Aside from processions, Salvadorans also observe Good Friday with prayer and fasting, often abstaining from meat and replacing it with fish. Many families spend the day together, using this time to reflect on their faith. The day concludes with a vigil that often extends into the early hours of Easter Sunday. Despite the solemnity of Good Friday, it is also marked by a strong sense of community and unity, demonstrating the importance of family, faith, and tradition in Salvadoran culture.